Coach Joe Paopao wants his Renegades to focus on themselves, not on other teams.

But with a late-season bye, Ottawa's coaches and players won't be able to help watching how the upcoming weekend CFL games unfold, and how each result affects their chances of extending their season into the playoffs.

"I'd like it if we could keep our focus from within, and not to be thinking about somebody else," said Paopao, whose 6-9 Renegades don't play again until Oct. 21 in Hamilton.

Despite the week off, the Renegades will practice tomorrow and Friday before getting the weekend off.

MUST WIN FINAL THREE GAMES

The Renegades need to win their final three games and get help to earn the franchise's first post-season berth.

While the odds are stacked against Ottawa, Paopao said yesterday that his team "still has a good shot."

"We haven't talked about any scenarios and who needs to do what for us," he said. "But we're pleased with the outcome of our last game."

Ottawa kept its playoff hopes alive with a 43-21 win over the Ticats last Friday.

"We thought that our overall play was good, but that's behind us now," said Paopao. "The key thing for us now is to get ready for the last three games."

Ottawa got a favour from Edmonton on Monday when the Eskimos beat Toronto 17-13 -- leaving the Renegades four points behind the Argos in the East.

The Renegades, in third in the East, would like to catch either the Argos or Montreal to clinch second in the division and a semi-final game at home.

But a more likely scenario of qualifying would be to finish third in the East and have a better record than Calgary (7-7), thereby preventing the Stamps of earning a crossover playoff berth.

This Friday, the Renegades are hoping the Ticats can do them a favour in Calgary.

If the Tabbies win, the Renegades could pull even with Calgary the following weekend, provided Ottawa beats Hamilton and the Stamps lose in Regina two days later.

The Renegades would then control their destiny heading into the last two games of the season -- at home against Montreal and Toronto, respectively.